U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that 30 New York Jewish organizations, including schools and congregations, and more have received a combined total of $2,188,517 for the 2014 fiscal year as Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Awardees. The program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), awards federal funds to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a national terrorist attack to encourage preparedness efforts.
“Religious schools and congregations have been previously targeted for attacks and that’s why FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program is critical in making sure that high-risk organizations are safe and protected from terrorist attacks,” said Schumer. “It is especially important for organizations in and around New York City to receive this federal funding, which will go a long way to ensure that they are fully prepared for whatever may happen in the future.”
“These federal dollars will arm our non-profits with the resources they need to guard us from attacks and keep us safe,” Gillibrand said. “No New Yorker, or American, should ever have to live and worship in fear of being targeted because of who they are or what they believe. Federal funding will help equip New York City’s places of worship, schools, and community gatherings with the tools needed to protect New York families.”
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is run under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). Only eligible nonprofit organizations, as described by the 501(c)(3) tax code of 1986, may apply for this grant. To be eligible, the nonprofit must be at high risk for an international terrorist attack and must be located in one of the designated urban areas throughout the country.
The 30 Jewish organizations that received funding from the New York City area are: the Hebrew Institute of University Heights DBA Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Park East Synagogue, Chabad Lubavitch of the Upper East Side, Shaare Zion Congregation Inc, Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, Mesivta Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Khal Ichud Chasidim, Bnos Square of Williamsburg, Solomon Schechter School of Westchester, Young Israel of White Plains, Trustees of the Congregation Shearith Israel, Rabbinical Academy Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin, The Center for Jewish Life, Yeshiva of Brooklyn , Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Congregation Machna Shalva, Gan Yisroel, Riverdale Jewish Center, Sephardic Community Center, Yeshivat Darche Eres, Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, Temple Beth El, Yeshiva Ahavas Torah, Congregation B’nai Israel, Congregation Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Be’er HaGolah Institutes, Westchester Day School, Ach Tov V’Chesed, and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center.